Former Bealtes member Paul McCartney has left Japan after an illness that forced the cancellation of his Asian tour, the concert organizer said Tuesday. Photo credit: Reuters

Former Beatle Paul McCartney, who cancelled his Asian concert tour and was treated at a Japanese hospital after falling ill in Tokyo, has recovered and left Japan, concert organizers said on Tuesday.

McCartney, 71, left on a charter flight on Monday, they added. No destination was given, but Japanese media said he had headed for London.

"Paul McCartney himself hopes to return to Japan for more concerts as soon as possible," the organizers said in a statement, adding that this would be negotiated.

McCartney called off his sold-out Japan tour last week after falling ill with a viral infection, much to the disappointment of fans - some of whom had paid 100,000 yen ($980) to see him. He later cancelled a concert set for South Korea.

A statement from New York-based public relations company Nasty Little Man said last week that McCartney had "received successful medical treatment at a hospital in Tokyo."

"He will make a complete recovery and has been ordered to take a few days rest" before leaving the country, the agency said at the time.

Japanese tabloid paper Nikkan Gendai, citing an unnamed person close to the musician, said Tuesday that McCartney had a laparoscopy -- surgery using a thin tube inserted into his belly.

A viral disease had been "suspected for nausea, vomiting and stomachache but his case was diagnosed as an intestinal obstruction," the source told the paper.

The operation to resolve the obstruction was successful, the report said.

The Kyodo Tokyo official could not confirm the report.

McCartney and drummer Ringo Starr are the two surviving members of the Beatles, which Guinness has ranked as the world's biggest-selling musical group, and which broke up in 1970.

A native of Liverpool who largely taught himself how to play, McCartney has been known for a long and versatile musical life that included a stint with the band "Wings" after the Beatles, followed by a flourishing solo career.